Cattle carcasses shine at Show

Standards in the Carcase Competition at this year's IGA Perth Royal Show were extremely high, with only a few points separating the top entrants.

Winning by less than one point, Murdoch University was awarded the grand champion carcase sash for its 474kg Murray Grey steer, scoring 93.67 out of 100 points.

In reserve was WA College of Agriculture, Cunderdin, with its extra heavyweight 536kg Angus steer, scoring 93.26 points.

Murdoch University lecturer in production animal science Peter McGilchrist led the team of carcase inspectors in the competition.

Dr McGilchrist said the carcases were a class above those judged last year, with many of the champions on the hoof carrying through to be champions on the hook. "This hasn't happened before, which showed the judging on the hoof this year really lined up," he said.

This year's grand champion carcase, a Murray Gray bred by Garry Buller's Monterey stud, was reserve grand champion led and champion heavyweight led steer.

Mr Buller, of Karridale, said the steer was sired by Monterey Barcoo and out of a Magnolia female line.

"The steer was typical of the Barcoo line, with plenty of muscle and softness and very well balanced," he said.

Mr Buller said his stud normally entered the led steer and heifer and carcase competitions at the Royal Show and either exhibited animals under the stud name or through Murdoch University.

He said in four out of the past five years Monterey Murray Grey cattle had been entered in the carcase competition, the stud's cattle had been awarded three grand champion carcase sashes.

Mr Buller said Murdoch University had done a remarkable job preparing the cattle purchased from Monterey for this year's IGA Perth Royal Show.

Murdoch University's champion lightweight led steer, which was reserve champion lightweight carcase, was also sired by a Monterey bull owned by the university, Monterey Emperor.

Buying this year's grand champion carcase for $3000 was Harvey Beef. The 474kg steer had a dressing percentage of 57.3 per cent, a Meat Standards Australia index of 63.67 and earned a total of 38.67 out of 45 points for eating quality.

The steer also had 10 out of 10 for P8 fat, five out of five for meat colour, five out of five for fat distribution, 15 out of 15 for rib fat and 20 out of 20 for eye muscle area.

The reserve grand champion steer, which was earlier judged reserve champion extra heavyweight led steer or heifer, sold for $2600 to Woolworths.

With a liveweight of 536kg, the steer had a dressing percentage of 54.9 per cent and a MSA index of 65.26, and earned 40.26 points for eating quality.

Champion mediumweight carcase was awarded to Lone Chorley and John Barber for their Shorthorn-Hereford-Limousin cross steer. Weighing 447kg on the hoof, the steer scored a total of 92.34 points in the Carcase Competition.

The steer recorded a dressing percentage of 59.8 per cent and a MSA index of 62.34, earning 37.34 points for eating quality. It earned full points for P8 fat, meat colour, fat distribution, rib fat and EMA.

During the on-the-hoof competition, the steer was judged champion mediumweight prime steer or heifer. It was bought by Crimea Meats for $2300.

Mr Barber thanked the Lockridge Senior High School students and, in particular, Jeff Daws for their work in preparing the cattle for the show ring.

He said it was unbelievable what the students had achieved, only one week after dropping the cattle off for their Royal Show preparation.

The champion lightweight carcase was exhibited by AS and M Campbell and Son. The 384kg-liveweight Blonde D'Aquitaine-Angus steer, which placed fourth in the lightweight prime steer or heifer competition, was bought by Barbaro Brothers for $850.

The steer was awarded a total of 92.01 points out of 100, recording a MSA index of 63.01 and earning 38.01 points for eating quality.

It had a dressing percentage of 57.8 per cent, and scored perfect points for P8 fat, meat colour, rib fat and EMA, as well as 4 out of 5 points for fat distribution.

Mr Campbell said it was an honour to have won the lightweight class, and he looked forward to the competition each year.

Also picking up the award for most successful exhibitor both on the hoof and hook, Mr Campbell said it had been a wonderful year at the Royal Show, with the awards being shared around.

"That way, everyone gets a bite of the cherry," he said.

• Champions *

·Grand champion and champion heavyweight carcase: *Murray Grey, Murdoch University *

·Reserve champion heavyweight: *Blonde D'Aquitaine-Angus cross, Henry Strating *

·Reserve grand champion and champion extra heavyweight carcase: *Angus, WA College of Agriculture, Cunderdin *

·Reserve champion extra heavyweight: *Murray Grey, Murdoch University *

·Champion lightweight: *Blonde D'Aquitaine-Angus cross, AS and M Campbell and Son *; reserve: *Murray Grey, Murdoch University *

·Champion medium weight: *Shorthorn-Hereford-Limousin cross, Lone Chorley and John Barber *; reserve: *Gelbvieh-Angus cross, Murdoch University *